For the past six years, the nonprofit organization The Honor Group has tied yellow ribbons around trees along Douglas Boulevard in Granite Bay.

"I think it’s an excellent tribute to our soldiers and their sacrifices," said Teresa Gage, who works in Granite Bay and passes the ribbons on her way to work.

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"I was deeply touched because someone took the time to go out there and represent something that is so important to this country,” said Georgia Ker, who lives in Granite Bay and has friends serving in the military.

But recently, a large section of the trees with yellow ribbons were torn down. It’s not the first time the effort has been vandalized.

"For about a mile stretch, someone has been taking down the ribbons," said Mark Soto, the director of The Honor Group. "Last year, they took them all down."

Soto, who has two sons in the military, said the act of removing the ribbons is offensive.

"It’s a big slap in the face," he said Wednesday. "No matter what you think about whether we should be at war, or be overseas, this is a way that we honor our fallen. This is a way we honor our family (who are) away fighting for our freedom."

Soto said he didn’t know if The Honor Group would be able to replace the ribbons that were torn down -- that is, until news of the incident spread in Granite Bay.

Once word got around, Soto’s phone wouldn’t stop ringing.

"You wouldn’t believe the amount of support that we got from people that want to come and put them back up," Soto said.

This Saturday, the group, along with dozens of new volunteers, will replace the ribbons.